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The Pen and Pencil, Manchester,

The Pen and Pencil

4.4 (885)
£25 and under
American
57 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EJ

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 4 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for brunch
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for groups
Sitting on the corner of Hilton and Tariff street in Manchester’s lively Northern Quarter, The Pen and Pencil takes its name and inspiration from the infamous mid-20th Century bar on East 45th Street in New York.

Open seven days a week from 10am until late, the restaurant and bar not only offers a variety of beverages including cocktails, beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, but focuses on its strong day time offering with great breakfast, brunch and lunch options as well as quality coffee and freshly blended smoothies.

The Pencil and Pencil has an array of events throughout the month with a resident DJ to get the party started every weekend, a weekly quiz night on a Tuesday, and its sell-out Bottomless Brunches! It also offers a private room for corporate event and celebrations..

Unfortunately, we are unable o serve guests with Coeliacs due to the risk of cross contamination.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 10:00–21:00 Sat, Sun 10:00–17:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Private party facilities
    The Pen & Pencil Manchester, situated on the corner of Hilton St and Tariff St in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, features an 80 cover dining space across two rooms alongside an expansive bar, with a cocktail menu of the highest quality.
  • Area
    Manchester
  • Parking details
    Spaces for on street parking. Multiple local parking lots within 1 minute walking distance.
  • Public transit
    5 minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly
  • Entertainment
    Quiz night every Tuesday.DJs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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What 885 people are saying

The Pen and Pencil reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Manchester/Greater Manchester

    Great for brunch

  • Manchester

    Great for brunch

  • Manchester

    Neighbourhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Pen and Pencil offers "great food at reasonable prices" and "excellent service" with a friendly atmosphere. Conveniently located near Piccadilly, it's perfect for pre-event meals. Despite occasional hiccups, the staff's attentiveness and "lovely vibe" make it a "top spot" for brunch or casual gatherings.
885 Reviews
  1. Conor

    London2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 13 June 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Good food, great value and great service. Only negative was the chicken in the chicken burger was a bit too salty.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Elaine

    Manchester/Greater Manchester1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 11 June 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was very good value and tasty but the service was brilliant. The young lady who was behind the bar and took our order was extremely friendly and helpful

    Is this helpful?

  3. Rob

    Chicago / Illinois2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 31 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Booked a table for 6:00 but when we got there they said food had finished. It did not say anywhere when I booked that they finished food early so all a waste of time.

    Is this helpful?

  4. bakula R

    Manchester/Greater Manchester2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 24 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The staff at Pen and Pencil are amongst the friendliest I have come in contact with. Nothing was too a problem and they found us a quiet corner with space for a push chair too. Food was lovely x

    Is this helpful?

  5. Daniel

    Yorkshire2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 22 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and drink choices,we only had an hour there as we had our son who is under 18.cut off point is 6pm it’s our own fault for not checking. Will definitely be back for longer next time👍

    Is this helpful?

  6. Luke

    Manchester/Greater Manchester1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 17 May 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Not good, nice place but the poached eggs were so over cooked and cold. Chicken on club sandwich dry as a bone

    Is this helpful?

  7. Ian

    Manchester/Greater Manchester1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 14 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We visited as we were attending a gig at co-op live. This is about 40 min walk. Food was of good quality. Staff were friendly and service was very good. I can certainly recommend

    Is this helpful?

  8. Richard

    Manchester/Greater Manchester2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 11 May 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Always great food at reasonable prices. The staff are lovely.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Joe

    Manchester/Greater Manchester1 review

    1.0

    Dined on 8 May 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    We arrived 10 minutes ahead of time and found the place shut!!!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Jena

    Yorkshire2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 3 May 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fish fingers were dry as a bone, barely a strand of lettuce on the sandwich. Tartar sauce was good. Tator tots were excellent. Service was excellent, really lovely staff.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Pen and Pencil is rated 4.4 stars by 885 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Manchester/Greater Manchester
  4. Manchester
  5. Manchester

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 4 times today
Google Map for The Pen and Pencil

57 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EJ

Additional information

  • Area
    Manchester
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 10:00–21:00 Sat, Sun 10:00–17:00
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Spaces for on street parking. Multiple local parking lots within 1 minute walking distance.
  • Public transit
    5 minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Quiz night every Tuesday.DJs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    The Pen & Pencil Manchester, situated on the corner of Hilton St and Tariff St in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, features an 80 cover dining space across two rooms alongside an expansive bar, with a cocktail menu of the highest quality.
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